Chapter 49: Elizabeth's request:

Darcy was long awake. He did not want to wake her. He thought she looked like an angel, in the rays of the morning sun, curled beside him.

He felt complete. Their night together was everything he had hoped. He wanted to know whether she felt the same way.

Elizabeth stirred beside him and opened her eyes.

She smiled at him, and then her gaze fell on his bare chest. When she realised her state of undress, she blushed red.

"Good morning, my love." Darcy said in a husky voice.

She pulled the covers over her face in embarrassment. Darcy laughed.

"What does this mean? Is my appearance so appalling in the morning?"

"My nightgown." She said in a low voice.

"What about it?"

"Please, can you hand it to me?"

"Hmmm…I cannot find it. Maybe you can get up and search for it yourself." He said in a teasing tone.

"For shame, Fitzwilliam." She cried and playfully punched him through the covers.

Darcy gently pulled the sheet down to reveal her face.

"Elizabeth! How do you…how do you feel?"

"My feet do not hurt anymore." She said innocently.

"I am not asking about that. How do you feel after last night?"

She blushed deeply."

"I am happy. I feel I am finally yours." Darcy kissed her happily. They had slept only in the early hours. He was doubtful whether he could sleep away from her ever.

"If you have any other games to play, please understand that I am very eager to try them out tonight."

Elizabeth laughed heartily.

"God knows how long you would have waited if not for the silly sword fight."

"I did not know whether you were ready." He said with concern.

"I am… I mean…. I was. I did not know how to acknowledge that to you. However impertinent I could be, it is not easy for me."

"I hope you can be open with your feelings with me."

"How long were you planning to wait?"

"Well! I did not have a timeline for that. But I must admit it was a testing time. To leave you every night and walk to my room was the hardest thing to do."

Elizabeth touched his cheek gently.

"I love you, Fitzwilliam."

They kissed again and basked in each other's warmth, knowing that they had a whole life ahead of them.

"Oh! God! It is almost time for breakfast." Elizabeth cried, looking at the clock. She tried to get up.

Darcy pulled her back.

"Now, Mrs Darcy, I know you have established a routine and would want to go about your duties. Can you not spare some time for your poor husband?"

"My poor husband has duties as well."

"Now until you find your nightgown. Those duties can wait."

The servants were very confused that morning. Elizabeth's maid met Mrs Reynolds.

"So, you say that Mrs Darcy has not called for you."

"Yes! She calls me as soon as she is awake. It is almost an hour past that time. Even the master has not called for his valet."

Mrs Reynolds smiled inwardly. She asked the maid not to disturb them unless summoned. Finally! She thought to herself.

The days in Pemberley became very different after the consummation of their marriage. Elizabeth tried her best not to neglect Emma and Georgiana. The days passed swiftly. Darcy felt a sense of peace and happiness that he once felt when his parents were alive. He wanted Elizabeth to have everything. He was also aware that she never expected anything from him.

She started taking art lessons and enjoyed them very much.

She also gained the confidence to start riding her horse. Darcy was very proud of her. They enjoyed riding together, and she no longer feared the sport.

Life in Pemberley was peaceful and happy.

One afternoon Elizabeth entered his study in a hurry. Darcy was surprised by her visit.

"Elizabeth, what is the matter? Is anything wrong?"

"No! No! I want to speak to you about something important."

"What is it?"

"I was playing with Emma and she asked me a question?"

"What did she ask you?"

"I was reading her a book. She was sitting on my lap. She suddenly asked me whether I have a baby in my stomach."

"Good God! Where did she get the idea?"

"One of the maids is with a child. Maybe Emma was curious about it. I was surprised by her question. I told her that I did not have a baby."

Darcy was silent.

"What she asked next, unsettled me. She asked me whether I would not play with her if I had a baby of my own."

"Elizabeth, she is a child. It is just an innocent question."

"I understand. But it made me think a lot about our future, Emma's future."

"What is bothering you?"

"Fitzwilliam, do you remember one night in the library I asked you about adopting Emma."

"Yes, you did."

"I did not ask because we had no hopes of having a child. I truly wanted us to adopt her as our daughter."

"I told you before there is no need for that."

"What if we have a child of our own?"

"Do you want me to believe that you will treat her differently after that? I must be insane if such a thought occurs in my mind."

"I would not. But how would little Emma feel? She is very attached to me. A child of our own may somehow distance her from me, from us. I do not want that to happen. She is very young now, Fitzwilliam. We could adopt her. Even if we have children of our own, Emma will be our first child."

Darcy looked at her in astonishment.

"Nobody can take her away from us then. Nobody can point out that she is not a part of our family in the future. Please, Fitzwilliam."

Darcy had no words to say.

"Elizabeth, I do not know what to say." Darcy thought she was selfless.

"I am not cognizant of the legalities involved with adoption. I am Emma's guardian. Anne has stated that in her will. I must consult with my lawyer and see."

"You sound uncertain."

"I promise you I will do everything in my power to make this happen. You are truly remarkable, Elizabeth."

"I am not doing anything for her. Emma is the one who helped me survive the initial days of our marriage. She is such a lovely child. She made me laugh. She made me happy with every little thing she did."

Darcy was ashamed that it never occurred to him to think more about Emma's future. Darcy did not know whether there was a way to adopt her.

He immediately sat down to write letters. He needed guidance from his lawyer, and he also wrote to his uncle regarding the matter.

In the following weeks, there was a lot of correspondence between Darcy and London. Though his aunt and uncle welcomed the idea, they had doubts about how Lady Catherine would react.

Darcy's advocate gave him advice on legalities. As for Elizabeth, it was stressful not knowing how things would turn out.

Darcy finally called her for a discussion. The look on his face worried her.

"What is it, Fitzwilliam?"

"I have been able to obtain some information from London."

"Can we adopt her?"

"Well! It is complicated. Do not look so dejected, Elizabeth."

"I thought it could be possible."

"I am Emma's guardian as per Anne's will. Mr Anderson states that we may get a will or title written stating that she will get the same inheritance as the children born to us."

"This is not about wealth or status, Fitzwilliam."

"I understand. I know what your intentions are. Our lawyer is still looking at a way to make this adoption possible. Elizabeth, I am trying my best. Please do not worry about this. Nobody is going to take Emma away from us."

"I do not know. I am somehow agitated about Emma's well-being. I do not know why I feel this way all of a sudden." Darcy comforted her.

"Please do not worry, my dear. I am hopeful we can arrange something with the court."

Elizabeth was not very hopeful. She criticized herself for sabotaging her happiness by thinking about unwanted things.

Darcy was confused about how things would turn out. He was worried to see his wife unhappy.

And to add to his confusion, a letter arrived from Darcy's uncle the next day, the contents of which confused him beyond measure.